CHICAGO, April 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 20 percent of children ages 8-12 and 45 percent of 13-14 year-olds experience shoulder and elbow pain at some point during the baseball season. In fact, overuse complications are responsible for more than half of all sports injuries among middle and high school athletes.

These alarming statistics were the impetus for a new program offered by Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers. The Accelerated Overhead Throwing Program evaluates the throwing techniques of young baseball players and helps them avoid injury by improving their pitching mechanics.    

The program, which is available to the public, does not require a physician's prescription. It is specifically designed to identify deficiencies that could put players at risk of shoulder and arm injuries.  Using a high speed (500+ frames per second) camera with video analysis software, a specially-trained physical therapist (or athletic trainer) conducts a 20-point biomechanical evaluation, identifies injury risk factors and provides recommendations.   

"We have seen a steady rise in athletes with overhead throwing injuries and we're concerned they might have additional shoulder and elbow problems later in life," explains Terrance Sgroi, a former high school baseball player and Accelerated's co-director of the Overhead Throwing Program. "Players can avoid injuries by learning proper mechanics.  Our comprehensive evaluation includes video analysis of each thrower so we can identify shortcomings and recommend improvements in technique and form."  

The Overhead Throwing Program is headquartered at Accelerated's Evanston location (1629 Chicago Avenue).  However, the video analysis software is portable and is being used remotely at high schools, club teams and colleges throughout the Midwest.

The program uses a variety of tools to assess how a player can improve their form to avoid injury, including:

• 20-point biomechanical analysis
• Professional indoor (youth and adult) mound and net
• Use of high speed camera capturing 500+ frames/second and slow motion analysis
• Take-home DVD
• Functional Movement Screen to identify strength and flexibility impairments
• Identification of risk factors
• Return to play protocols
• Techniques for improving control and velocity
• Strengthening and conditioning techniques

To schedule an overhead throwing evaluation, view a video about the program or to download a free brochure, please visit www.acceleratedrehab.com and click on Specialty Programs, then Throwing Program; or call 312.523.4064.

About Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers, Ltd. Chicago-based Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers, Ltd. is a premier provider of a wide array of comprehensive patient services and specialized rehabilitation programs. Since 1989, Accelerated has grown to more than 300 outpatient rehabilitation centers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Arizona, becoming one of the top choices for many professional athletes, large employers and busy professionals.  

For more information about Accelerated, call 877-97-REHAB, or visit www.acceleratedrehab.com.

Contact: Ann Pitcher
P.S. Communications
630-234-4150

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SOURCE Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers